My Actual Skincare Routine

Last year, I was on a panel discussion about influencing when the moderator asked the panelists about our most successful TikTok video. Obviously, I’m not on TikTok. So when it came my time to answer, I explained that I refuse to engage in what Grace Atwood calls The Instagram Olympics, the thankless business of chasing an algorithm that rewards video content today, photo carousels set to music tomorrow, and ventriloquism with an AI-generated puppet the day after that. But the other reason that I’m not on TikTok is simpler for women my age to understand.

I am not on TikTok because I will not spend one more minute of my life watching 19-year olds with mild under eye darkness sell me miracle creams that don’t do s**t. I will not give one view to a click-seeking creator who applies 10+ skincare products to her face every night destroying her skin barrier. And I will not watch one more 27-year-old try to sell me wrinkle cream as if they have any idea what a real wrinkle looks like.

Yes, I made some mistakes in my late-20s not understanding that some recommendations are best left to the women who struggle with those issues. Yes, I once had a lengthy nighttime skincare routine (because I had inordinate amounts of free time and didn’t spend all of my spare cash on blackberries and Play-Doh). But I have learned from those mistakes. Because no one should buy wrinkle cream from a brand that was dumb enough to hire a woman under-35 as their ambassador. (I don’t care which night cream Selena Gomez uses, telling me what Pam Anderson buys!)

Because I’ve learned these lessons as a woman of 43, with a job and a toddler here is my actual skincare routine, complete with affordable dupes where necessary.

Face Wash // I only buy Prequel Gleanser. On the rare occasion that I’m forced to use something else, I notice immediately how dry and lifeless my skin looks. Also available at Target.

Morning Serum // Before I was using Prequel Vitamin-C serum and a separate Niacinamide serum to reduce acne. While I liked both serums, I wanted one stop shopping and switched to the Mutha No. 1 Serum after using a sample size for a couple of weeks. It costs more than my prior serums, but I’ve found that my skin tolerates it better, as sometimes the Vitamin-C would increase the redness on my face.

Moisturizer // I have combination skin, so I love a gel moisturizer. Farmacy makes my favorite one. If I’m in a pinch and need something that I can buy at Target, I pick up this one from e.l.f.

Night Serum and Eye Cream // At night, I keep it very simple. I’m looking for products that diminish wrinkles and boost moisture without turning my face into an oil slick. This Korres serum is my current favorite. I’ve been using it for three weeks and my skin is noticeably smoother in between exfoliation sessions. I also apply eye cream at night, and this one from Fresh is a longtime favorite.

Masks // I use this Dr. Jart sheet mask to clear up breakouts in a flash. And while, in the past, I was gatekeeping the name of my must-have anti-aging mask like a Roman sentry, I’ve decided to stop. I buy my Innisfree Black Tea sheet masks from Amore Mall. They’re the greatest masks, so hydrating and brightening. You look like you just got back from vacation. Just be advised, customs can seize your order. I’ve only had one of a dozen or so seized, but it does happen.

SPF // Speaking of having things seized, my last order of European sunscreen was snatched by customs. I just ordered a fresh shipment of La Roche Pose from The French Pharmacy and paid the atrocious customs fee, so here’s hoping it arrives. The American-manufactured LRP products are good too, but this article explains why they’re not as good as their European counterparts.

Also, you may notice that I stopped using UltraViolette for SPF, that’s because I got a shipment of fraudulent products from a well-known and respected U.S. based retailer and until that gets sorted out, I’m done. Nothing like opening a box to see that your product had clearly been opened and resealed.

So what skincare are you using and loving right now? Or did you try something that got the thumbs down? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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